Foundation training placements

During your placement as a trainee pharmacist at an approved training site, you will work under the guidance and supervision of a GPhC-approved designated supervisor.

You must demonstrate over 52 weeks that you meet all the interim learning outcomes set out in the foundation training manual.

You are responsible for finding your own training placement and designated supervisor. You must let us know the arrangements you've made by applying for entry to the foundation training scheme.

We’ll assess your application to make sure that you are eligible to start training and that the arrangements you have made are suitable, and will provide you with the opportunity to meet the interim learning outcomes.

Finding a training place

Search for approved training sites
Training posts in England and Wales are filled through a national recruitment scheme. You must apply for a training post through the scheme - you can’t apply to individual employers directly. If you want to start your training directly after you finish your MPharm or OSPAP, you’ll need to apply to the scheme in June of the year before the one when you will finish. If you are studying an OSPAP course, this could be before your course begins. See the National Recruitment Scheme Student Zone for more information on how and when to apply.
In Scotland, the NHS pharmacist foundation scheme is managed by NHS Education Scotland. Find out more on the NES recruitment webpage

Working in the uk

If you need a visa to work in the United Kingdom, read the information provided by the Home Office. Please remember that we can’t provide you with advice about immigration.

Applying to join the foundation training scheme

The majority of trainees can make their application through our online system.

To prepare for your application, you should read our guidance which gives you helpful details and support about completing your application.

To apply for the foundation training scheme, you’ll need to:

create a myGPhC account, using your name as it appears on your university record. Make sure you match the spacing, punctuation and capital letters. You can check with your university if you’re not sure
fill in the online application form through myGPhC, including details of where you trained and your designated supervisors
copy a form of photo ID to upload to your online application
organise for your prospective supervisor(s) to enter into a learning contract with you through their myGPhC account

Sandwich courses and integrated degrees

If you’re studying the Bradford sandwich course or a five-year integrated degree, please contact your university directly for information on how to apply to the pharmacist foundation training scheme.